Category Archives: Uncategorized

The name is like a poem. But this is my latest Country Diary. I made a foray to home territory, my natal country, the place where I was “reared”, as we used to say. While I was there, I had … Continue reading →

Last Wednesday, 10 August 2022, Derry poet Mícheál McCann launched his gorgeous pamplet “Keeper” (edited by Ben Townley-Canning, fourteen poems press), at the Sunflower Bar in Belfast. It was a lovely evening. Ben came over from London to introduce, and … Continue reading →

My latest Country Diary on the much-loved colony of black guillemots in Bangor was a joy to write. Well, it’s true to say that all my Country Diaries are a joy to write, even when they mean getting up at some godawful … Continue reading →

My latest contribution to The Guardian’s Country Diary celebrates the swifts of the Crescent Arts Centre; and, indeed, celebrates how the Crescent Arts Centre celebrates them itself, both in its care of the nesting colony, and through the Belfast Book … Continue reading →

I was delighted, if that’s the right word, to see Carol Rumen’s analysis of Strange Meeting in today’s Guardian. Like one of the commentators below the article, I too grew up during the Troubles and was educated in a convent … Continue reading →

I’m a busy bunny at the minute, but the impending filing date for my April (!) Country Diary jolted me to the awareness that I haven’t yet linked to my February one. So here it is with a pretty poor … Continue reading →

With all the excitement of Christmas and seeing folks over the hols, I entirely neglected to showcase my last Guardian Country Diary which came out on eve of New Year’s Eve. (I’m sleeping grand now, thanks). And with the new … Continue reading →

Today’s Country Diary in The Guardian. The whooper swans are among the many things that make Lough Beg special. Many thanks to all the folks who helped me track down or provided detailed info about the breeding behaviour and movements … Continue reading →

My contribution to today’s Country Diary in The Guardian. A little allegory on climate change. Thanks, as ever, to Paul Fleckney, Country Diary editor.